Inflatable body support apparatus

ABSTRACT

An inflatable body support apparatus is provided wherein the apparatus comprises a base pad; at least two inflatable supports having an inflation valve, the first support being an abdominal support and the second support being a back support; and a means for attaching the first and second supports onto the base pad.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an inflatable body support apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an inflatable body support apparatus for infants and/or adults comprising: a base pad; at least two inflatable supports having an inflation valve, the first support being an abdominal support and the second support being a back support; and a means for attaching the first and second supports onto the base pad.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] There are numerous body support devices in the prior art with varying shapes and size. There are however various problem with such support devices. One of the problems is that the prior art devices are not ergonomically designed to fit the contours of the user's back and abdominal regions. Another problem with the support devices in the prior art is that they are bulky for transport and are difficult to package both from economical and space efficiency prospective. The bulky size of the support devices makes manufacturing, packaging and shipping of the products very difficult and expensive. The bulky size also brings about problems from the user's prospective. A parent using the device must carry large bags to transport the support devices for their child. The present invention provides a solution to the above problems by providing an inflatable support apparatus with various ergonomic designs.

[0005] As far as infants are concerned, there are numerous reports on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and babies who sleep face down are at a greater risk than those babies who sleep on their backs and sides. There are also problems for adult patients, particularly senior citizens, who need to sleep on their backs and sides rather than sleeping face or stomach down. The present invention may be applied to adults and infants and may be a tremendous asset for hospital and medical uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an inflatable body support apparatus comprising: a base pad; at least two inflatable supports having an inflation valve, the first support being an abdominal support and the second support being a back support, the abdominal support having a base and at least one wall, the wall of the abdominal support having a convex surface, the back support having a base and at least one wall, the wall of the back support having a recessed concave surface; and a means for attaching the first and second supports onto the base pad.

[0007] In another embodiment, the base pad comprises a first extended portion, the extended portion being design to support the user's head. In still another embodiment, the base pad comprises a second extended portion, the second extended portion being design to support the user's legs. In yet another embodiment, the base pad further comprises an inflatable head pillow, the head pillow being situated on the first extended portion and having an inflation valve. In still yet another embodiment, the base pad further comprises an inflatable leg pillow, the leg pillow being situated on the second extended portion and having an inflation valve.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the first and second supports are constructed of an elastic, inflatable material, such as plastic. In still a further embodiment, the convex surface of the first support and the concave surface of the second support having attached thereto at least one layer of a soft cloth fabric material.

[0009] In yet a further embodiment, the apparatus further comprising at least two soft cloth fabric sleeves, the sleeves being designed to cover the first and second supports. In still yet a further embodiment, the first and second supports are insertable within the sleeves. In another embodiment, the sleeves have a closing means for enclosing the supports within the sleeves. In still another embodiment, the attaching means comprises a hook and loop device. In yet another embodiment, the attaching means can be any fastener that can attach the supports onto the base pad including, but not limited to, buttons, zippers, etc. In still yet another embodiment, the supports may be permanently attached or sewn onto the base pad. In one embodiment, the base pad comprises at least one layer of a waterproof or water-resistant material. In another embodiment, the base pad can be constructed of a quilted fabric.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to an inflatable body support apparatus comprising: a base pad; at least two inflatable supports having an inflation valve, the first support being an abdominal support and the second support being an elongated back support, the abdominal support comprising a short bent cylinder with at least one abdominal contact surface, the abdominal contact surface forming a convex curvature, the back support comprising an elongated bent cylinder with at least one back contact surface, the back contact surface forming a concave curvature; and a means for attaching the first and second supports onto the base pad. In this embodiment, the supports may be “elbow macaroni” shaped.

[0011] In still a further embodiment, the base pad comprises a first extended portion, the extended portion being design to support the user's head, and a second extended portion, the second extended portion being design to support the user's legs. In yet a further embodiment, the base pad further comprises an inflatable head pillow, the head pillow being situated on the first extended portion and having an inflation valve. In another embodiment, the base pad further comprises an inflatable leg pillow, the leg pillow being situated on the second extended portion and having an inflation valve.

[0012] In still yet another further embodiment, the first and second supports are constructed of an elastic, inflatable material. In a further embodiment, the further comprising at least two soft cloth fabric sleeves, the sleeves being designed to cover said first and second supports.

[0013] In yet another further embodiment, the present invention relates to inflatable body support apparatus comprising: a base pad; at least two inflatable supports having an inflation valve, the first support being an abdominal support and the second support being an elongated back support, the abdominal support comprising a short bent cylinder with at least one abdominal contact surface and forming tips at its opposing ends, the abdominal contact surface having a convex curvature, the back support comprising an elongated bent cylinder with at least one back contact surface and forming tips at is opposing ends, the back contact surface having a concave curvature, the tips of the first and second supports having a narrower circumference than the centers of the first and second supports; and a means for attaching the first and second supports onto the base pad. In this embodiment, the supports may be “banana” shaped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of the inflatable body support apparatus of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 1a is a perspective view of the one of the embodiment of the invention in use with an infant;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 is an overhead view of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention where the supports are in the shape of bent cylinders (“elbow macaroni” shaped); and

[0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inflatable body support apparatus of the present invention where the supports are in the shape of bent cylinders with narrowing tips (“banana” shaped).

[0021] Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessary to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, an inflatable body support apparatus 1 is depicted. The body support apparatus comprises a base pad 30, an elongated back support 10 and a short abdominal support 20 and means 36 for attaching and detaching the supports 10 and 20 onto the base pad 30. The base pad 30 may have a layer 32 of waterproof or water-resistant material. The base pad 30 may also have an extended portion for the user's head 38 and another extended portion for the user's legs 39.

[0024] The back support 10 comprises a recessed concave surface 11 for supporting the user's back and an inflation valve 12. The abdominal support 20 comprises a convex surface 21 for supporting the user's stomach region and an inflation valve 22. The back and abdominal supports 10 and 20 respectively, may be inflated by blowing air into the inflation valves, 12 and 22 respectively, and may be deflated for shipping and/or transport by removing air from the inflation valves.

[0025]FIG. 1a illustrates the inflatable body support apparatus 1 of the present invention in use. The infant 50 lies on the base pad 30 and between the back and abdominal supports, 10 and 20 respectively. The back support 10 is ergonomically designed to fit the curvature of the infant's back and the abdominal support 20 is ergonomically designed to fit and support the infant's stomach region. The supports, 10 and 20 respectively, prevent the infant from rolling onto his stomach and fall a sleep stomach or face down.

[0026]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the body support apparatus 100 of the present invention wherein the apparatus comprises a base pad 130, a back support 110 and an abdominal support 120, and a hook and loop device 136 for attaching the supports 110 and 102 onto the base pad 130. The base pad 130 has an extended portion 138 for the user's head and has an inflatable pillow 160. The base pad 130 may also be constructed of a quilted fabric 135.

[0027] The back support 110 comprises a bent cylinder having a back contact surface forming a concave curvature 111 for supporting the user's back and an inflation valve 112. The abdominal support 120 comprises a bent cylinder having an abdominal contact surface forming a convex curvature 121 for supporting the user's stomach region and has an inflation valve 122. The back and abdominal supports, 110 and 120 respectively, may be inflated by blowing air into the inflation valves, 112 and 122 respectively, and may be deflated for shipping and/or transport by removing air from the inflation valves.

[0028]FIG. 5 relates to another embodiment of the present invention. The support apparatus 200 comprises a base pad 230, a back support 210 and an abdominal support 220, and a means 236 for attaching the supports 210 and 220 onto the base pad 230. The base pad 230 has two extended portions, 238 and 239 respectively, the first designed to support the user's head and the second designed to support the user's legs.

[0029] The back support 210 comprises a bent cylinder having narrowing tips on opposing ends and a back contact surface having a concave curvature 211 for supporting the user's back and at least one inflation valve 212. The abdominal support 220 comprises a bent cylinder having narrowing tips on opposing ends and an abdominal contact surface having a convex curvature 221 for supporting the user's stomach region and an inflation valve 222. The tips of the first and second supports, 210 and 220 respectively, have a narrower circumference than the centers of the first and second supports. The back and abdominal supports, 210 and 220 respectively, may be inflated by blowing air into the inflation valves, 212 and 222 respectively, and may be deflated for shipping and/or transport by removing air from the inflation valves.

[0030] Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the attendant claims attached hereto, this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable body support apparatus comprising: at least one base pad; at least two inflatable supports having at least one inflation valve, said first support being an abdominal support and said second support being a back support, said abdominal support having a base and at least one wall, said wall of said abdominal support having a convex surface, said back support having a base and at least one wall, said wall of said back support having a recessed concave surface; and a means for attaching said first and second supports onto said base pad.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base pad comprises a first extended portion, said extended portion being design to support the user's head.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said base pad comprises a second extended portion, said extended portion being design to support the user's legs.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said base pad further comprises an inflatable head pillow, said head pillow being situated on said first extended portion and having at least one inflation valve.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said base pad further comprises an inflatable leg pillow, said leg pillow being situated on said second extended portion and having at least one inflation valve.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and said second supports are constructed of an elastic, inflatable material and said base pad having a layer of waterproof material.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said convex surface of said first support and said concave surface of said second support having attached thereto at least one layer of a soft cloth fabric material.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least two soft cloth fabric sleeves, said sleeves being designed to cover said first and second supports.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first and second supports are insertable within said sleeves.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 said attaching means comprises a hook and loop device.
 11. An inflatable body support apparatus comprising: at least one base pad; at least two inflatable supports having at least one inflation valve, said first support being an abdominal support and said second support being an elongated back support, said abdominal support comprising a short bent cylinder with at least one abdominal contact surface, said abdominal contact surface forming a convex curvature, said back support comprising an elongated bent cylinder with at least one back contact surface, said back contact surface forming a concave curvature; and a means for attaching said first and second supports onto said base pad.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said base pad comprises a first extended portion, said extended portion being design to support the user's head, and a second extended portion, said second extended portion being design to support the user's legs.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said base pad further comprises an inflatable head pillow, said head pillow being situated on said first extended portion and having at least one inflation valve.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first and said second supports are constructed of an elastic, inflatable material.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said base pad further comprises an inflatable leg pillow, said leg pillow being situated on said second extended portion and having at least one inflation valve.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising at least two soft cloth fabric sleeves, said sleeves being designed to cover said first and second supports.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11 said attaching means comprises a hook and loop device.
 18. An inflatable body support apparatus comprising: at least one base pad; at least two inflatable supports having at least one inflation valve, said first support being an abdominal support and said second support being an elongated back support, said abdominal support comprising a short bent cylinder with at least one abdominal contact surface and forming tips at its opposing ends, said abdominal contact surface having a convex curvature, said back support comprising an elongated bent cylinder with at least one back contact surface and forming tips at is opposing ends, said back contact surface having a concave curvature, said tips of said first and second supports having a narrower circumference than the centers of said first and second supports; and a means for attaching said first and second supports onto said base pad.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising at least two soft cloth fabric sleeves, said sleeves being designed to cover said first and second supports.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18 said attaching means comprises a hook and loop device. 